New York: The UN can initiate an inquiry into the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto only if it received a request from Pakistan government, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, rejecting a suggestion that the world body should act on the basis of a demand by her family.

British's Scotland Yard is providing technical assistance in the investigation process of "this very tragic assassination" but the United Nations has not received any formal request from the Pakistan government, he said.

"I am not in a position to comment on any request on a private, personal level," Ban added.

Ban also rejected comparison with the investigation conducted by UN into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, pointing out that a formal request was made by the government there.

So far as establishing special tribunals for trying the suspect is concerned, Ban said it was for the Security Council and the member States to decide. In Hariri s case, he said, there was consensus among the Council members on this.

Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party and her husband Asif Ali Zardari have been demanding a UN probe into the December 27 killing of the opposition leader claiming that the government invetigations will not be fair.

Source : PTI